Louver construction for ventilated windows and doors



June 1, 1954 w BURCHlLL 2,679,666

LOUVER CONSTRUCTION FOR VENTILATED WINDOWS AND DOORS Filed April 24, 1950 Patented June 1, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOUVER CONSTRUCTION FOR VENTILATED VVIND'OWS AND DOORS 4 Claims.

This invention relates to windows and doors employing louver type ventilating closures. More particularly, the invention relates to a louver window of a type in which the louvers are pivoted 01' hinged at one edge to a fixed frame such as a window frame, and at their opposite edges are hinged to a floating frame which swings arcuately in the movement of the louvers from closed to open positions and vice versa.

The primary object of the invention is to pro vide an improved louver construction which is adapted particularly to the utilization of glass louvers, although it is also applicable to other types of louvers, such as wood slats.

Where glass louvers are utilized, there is the problem of mounting the ends of the louvers for pivotal movement. This requires a separate mounting member for attachment to the ends of the louvers, and for carrying the pivots by which the louvers are connected to the window frame.

One of the particular objects of the invention is to provide an improved mounting means for pivotally connecting a series of glass louvers for movement from closed positions in which they overlap each other to open positions in which they are substantially parallel and horizontal.

Another object is to provide a louver window embodying a novel and improved construction of floating frame for operating the louvers. respect, the invention has as one of its important objects to provide a louver construction which may be delivered to a job in a knocked-down, compactly packaged arrangement, and which .can be readily assembled by a glass setter or glazier into a window opening. Another object is to provide a louver construction embodying frame elements of metal, eliminating wood construction. A further object is to provide a louver construction embodying a novel arrangement for yieldingly supporting a floating louver frame in a normally raised, closed position, with the weight of the frame subs-tanaially balancing the yielding means so that it may be positioned in any selected position of adjustment between the closed and open positions. A further object is to provide an improved combination of floating frame and locking member for locking the floating frame against opening movements beyond the selected position. A further object is to provide an improved arrangement for mounting the lowermost louver to shift to an inclined, moisture draining position on the window sill when the louvers are in their fully open positions.

A further object is to provide an improved In this louver construction which is readily adaptable to all sizes of window openings, and is not re stricted to sizes constituting multiples of the width of the louvers.

A further object is to provide a louver con? struction capable of being readily mounted in a framed window opening and adjusted to plumb, evel, and accurately rectangular positions in t ie window opening even though the opening may be slightly irregular. This is particularly im, portant in a louver window having many pivotal connections which would tend to bind under even slight mis-alignment conditions.

Other objects will become apparent in the ensuing specification and appended drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an inside elevat-ional view of a louver window embodying my invention, shown in approximately a half -open position, with all parts thereof shown in their relative Positions as installed in a rough framed opening in a building but with the rough framing omitted in order to illustrate the metal frame members of my window;

Fig. 2 is a fra mentary vertical sectional view thereof taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view thereof taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of the inside of the window, on ,a larger scale than Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of one of the louver mounting clips;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional View taken on the line 66 of Fig. 1;

Fig. '7 is a detail horizontal sectional view taken on the line fie-.1 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view of a modified form of the lost motion connection between the lowermost louver and the floating frame.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and in particular to Fig. l (which views the inner side of the window, with the window about half open), I have shown as one example of one form in which the invention may be embodied, a louver window mounted in a rough framed window opening ddnned by side frame members ill, a top frame member H and a sill member 12. It will he understood that these frame members are part of the framing of the building in which the window is installed and form no part of the present invention, except insofar as the sill member 52 cooperates with the lowermost louver as will be specified more in detail hereinafter.

The louver construction of my invention includes members collectively constituting a fixed frame which is indicated generally at l3, against which a floating frame, indicated generally at H, is adapted to establish sealing contact in a closed position thereof. In the ensuing description and claims, the movement of said floating frame I'I toward said closed position will be referred to as a forward movement, and the movement of the floating frame toward its open position will be referred to as a rearward movement; also, certain parts of the respective frames will be referred to as projecting in such forward and rearward directions. The terms inner and outer will be used hereinafter as meaning toward the center of the window and away from the center of the window respectively. The apparatus of the invention further includes a series of louvers I4 each having its lower, forward edge hinged by a hinge |5 to the fixed frame I3, and each having its upper, rearward edge hinged by hinges I6 to the floating frame. The fixed frame I3 is attached to the forward side of the rough frame Ill-I2, which forward side is at the right of Figs. 2 and 3.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the floating frame I1 is adapted to move from the closed position, shown in full lines, to any one of a series of partially open positions or a fully open position, shown in dotted lines in that figure. In the closed position, the floating frame is at a maximum elevation with its upper extremity seated against the upper member I8 of fixed frame [3 and its lower extremity spaced above the sill member I2. In its fully open position, its lower member is seated against the sill l2 and its upper member is spaced downwardly and rearwardly from the upper fixed frame member I8, all as indicated in the dotted line showing. In the closed position, the louvers I4 have their adjacent marginal portions overlapped and in face to face sealing engagement with each other as shown best in Fig. 3, the upper marginal portions of the respective louvers being disposed rearwardly of the lower marginal portions of the adjacent louvers.

The fixed frame I3 is of metal section, preferably of extruded aluminum or aluminum alloy. It includes a top member I8, side members I9 and a bottom member 20. The top and side members I8 and I9 each include a web portion 2|, a flange 22 branching rearwardly from web member 2 I, a flange 23 branching forwardly from Web 2| and offset toward the center of the window from flange 22, a flange 24 forming a continuation of web 2| outwardly of flange 22, and a flange 25 forming a continuation of web 2| inwardly of flange 23. In addition, side members l9 include a flange 26 branching rearwardly from flange 25. The bottom frame member 20 is of Z-bar construction including a top flange 22 to rest upon the sill I2 at the forward margin thereof, a web member 2| and a bottom flange 23. Flanges 23 and 23' cooperatively define an opening to receive a screen or storm sash. Flanges 22, 22 fit against the inner faces of the rough frame members I0, I I, I2 respectively, whereby to mount the fixed frame in the rough frame. In the event of any irregularity in shape, in angularity of the corners, or in leveling of the rough frame members, it is possible to adjust the fixed frame I3 to a level, plumb condition in which it defines an accurately rectangular opening, simply by inserting shims or the like between selected extremities of the frame members I8, I9, 26 and the rough frame members Ill, I2 respectively. In the installation of the window, the fixed frame members I 8, I9, 28 will be packaged and shipped in knock-down condition and will be assembled and secured to the rough frame members It, ll, I2 by means of screws 21. Suitable apertures are provided in flanges 22 and 24 and in flanges 22 and web 2|! so that screws 21 may be inserted both vertically and horizontally through all of these flanges. The flanges 22 and 22, and the web member 2| cooperatively define a frame to receive the floating frame I1.

Floating frame I! comprises upper and lower corner elbow fittings 23 and 29 respectively, an upper cross member 30, a lower cross member 3|, and side rails 32. Members 3%], 3| and 32 are of tubular, extruded metal (preferably aluminum) construction. Member 39, as shown in Fig. 3, is of tubular cross section, having a slot in its lower side. Lower cross member 3|, is, in cross section, an arcuate segment of a tube. Side members 32 (Figs. 6 and 7) have a cross sectional shape generally in the form of a letter G, rounded on one side as at 33 and squared at the other side to provide a flange 34, which, in the assembled window, is disposed in the same plane as flange 26 and opposed thereto. The side from which flange 34 projects is extended beyond flange 34 to define a flange 35 which is opposed to and parallel to flange 25 of the fixed frame. At this point it may be noted that flanges 26, 34, 25 and cooperatively define, in the closed position of the floating frame, a channel to receive the end extremities of louvers l4. Flange 26 provides a support to which hinges I5 are connected, and flange 34 provides a support to which hinges I6 are connected. Thus the louvers are hinged at their lower margins to the fixed frame flanges 2'6 and at their upper margins to the floating frame flanges 34.

The louvers M will ordinarily be of plate glass construction, whereby the window will be transparent when the louvers are closed. In order to provide hinged connections between the glass louvers and the respective frame members, the invention provides a sheet metal clip which is shown in Fig. 5 and referred to generally by the reference numeral 43. This clip is generally of channel shape, including a web member 36 and side flanges 3! each of which terminates in a rolled hinge loop 33. The ends of the glass louvers are received in these channels, and embraced by the side flanges 31. Flanges 31 are cut away as shown to allow the louvers to make direct con tact with each other in their overlapping marginal portions. In the hinge loops 38 are mounted hinge pins 38 which are pivotally received in openings suitably positioned in the respective flanges 26 and 34. The ends of web 36 are bent to form tabs 46 which embrace the respective edges of the panel Hi to retain the panel against displacement in the clips.

Elbow fittings 28 and 29 include corner portions of cylindrical shape corresponding in diameter to the frame members 30, 3| and 32, so as to form flush continuations thereof, and include reduced diameter shank members 40 which project beyond the corner portions and are received respectively in the ends of frame members 38-32. The diameter of shanks 40 is such as to snugly fit within the tubular upper frame member 30 and also to fit the rounded parts of side frame members 32 as indicated in Fig. 7. Disposed in the central plane of each elbow fitting, and extending throughout the corner portions and extended shanks thereof, are grooves 4| which are of the same width as the slot in the bottom of top frame member 30. The grooves 4| function, in the upper portion of the floating frame, to receive a fixed panel 42. They have a different function in the lower part of the folding frame as will shortly be pointed out.

One of the important aspects of the invention is the utilization of a fixed panel 42 in the top of the floating frame, to close any gap that may exist between the upper margin of the uppermost louver l4 and the top member 3!! of the floating frame. Thus the invention provides for utilizing a standard width louver and a single standard mounting clip, and at the same time adapts the windows to any height opening that may be encountered, the adjustment being made in the width of the fixed panel 42.

The panel 42 which will ordinarily be thinner than the breadth of grooves M, in which event it may be sealed therein, and in the slot in frame member 38, by means of a strip :14 of any suitable sealing material such as felt, rubber, plastic composition, or the like. The width of panel 42 will in each case be determined by the variation of the total height of the window opening from the standard height which would bring the vertical inside dimension of the floating frame to a multiple of the net width of louvers :4.

One of the important aspects of the invention is an improved mounting for the lowermost louver M which provides for arresting the downward hinging movement thereof at the inclined position indicated in dotted lines at the bottom of Fig. 3, while the remaining louvers continue to swing downwardly until they reach the horizontal positions indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. To this end, the invention provides an improved lost motion connection between the lowermost hinges i5 and the floating frame ll. This lost motion connection is provided in the form of floating hinge blocks 45 which may, as indicated in Fig. 3, be of bar shape, fitting fairly snugly within grooves 41 in lowermost corner fittings 29, but freely slidable therein. The lowermost hinges l6 may comprise rigid, permanent connections between pins 39 and the lower inner corners of slidable hinge fittings d5 of bar shape, with these pins 39 pivotally received in loops 38 at the upper corners of the lowermost louver I l. The upper portions of hinge fittings 45 are confined by the lower portions of flanges 3 3, as indicated in Figs. 3 and '7 (flanges 3-4 being partially broken away in Fig. 7 to better illustrate the hinge pins 33) It will now be apparent that as the bottom of floating frame if approaches the sill l2, lowermost louver M will be arrested by contact with the shoulder 48 of the upwardly and inwardly inclined upper surface of sill l2. Inwardly of shoulder 48, sill I2 is cut away to provide a recess 49 to receive lower frame member 3| of the floating frame. After lowermost louver I l has been arrested by shoulder 48, the louver frame will continue to move downwardly until lower frame member 35 rests against sill E2 in recess 39, the hinge fittings 45 sliding upwardly in grooves M to provide the necessary lost motion between the lowermost hinges i6 and the floating frame, to allow the latter to move on downwardly into contact with sill I2. The relative positions of lowermost hinges relative to lower frame members 3| are indicated in the full line and dotted line positions respectively in Fig. 3.

In Fig. 8 is shown a modified form of the lost motion hinge fitting, which may be employed in an arrangement in which the relative thicknesses of louvers and floating frame may be such as to permit of the hinges It being centered with reference to the plane'of grooves M. In this case, lost motion hinge fittings 45a may be in the simple form of rollers of diameter and thickness corresponding to the width and thickness of hinge fitting bars 45. By abutting engagement with clips 53, rollers 45 will be confined against any possible escape from grooves M. Their movement in grooves ll may be partially a rolling one, thereby reducing friction.

The invention provides an improved arrangement for yieldingl counterbalancing a majority (but not all) of the weight of the floating frame and louvers. Such counterbalancing means is in the form of a pair of compression coil springs received within the respective side members 33 of the floating frame and engaged under compression between the lower extremities of corner fittings 28 (shanks ii thereof) and necked washers 51, which are suspended upon cables 52 the upper ends of which are anchored to upper rough frame member H in any suitable manner as, for example, by means of screweyes 53 extending through flanges 22 and threaded into frame member II. The lower ends of cables 5| are headed as at 54 to engage washers 51. Cables 51 extend through openings in the upper sides of corner fittings 28 as indicated in Fig. 2. As the floating frame I! is swung downwardly, cables 5! will be drawn out through these openings and shifted to positions inclined downwardly and rearwardly as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. Coil springs 58 will be correspondingly compressed. When the window is returned toward the closed position, springs 50 will carry the majority of the load, and only a slight amount of lifting pressure will be required.

The weight of the floating frame and louvers may be slightly greater than, or slightly less than, the spring loading, but in any case is substantially the same, sufficiently so that the friction in the moving parts will be greater than any excess of weight over spring loading or vice versa, whereby some effort will be required to move the window in either the opening or the closing direcin either case. In any event, there is a sufficient balance between weight and spring loading and frictional resistance to movement in either direction, so that the window may be readily moved in either direction and yet will stay in any adjusted position as the result of frictional resistance combined with the balancing of loads.

However, in order to provide additional assurance of preventing the window from moving toward open positions beyond a selected position of adjustment, the invention provides one or more latch bolts 55, preferably of square section metal rod, slidably mounted in grooves iii between the bottoms of th grooves and hinge fittings 45. Each bolt 55 is provided with a handle 56 pivotally connected to its upper end and operable in a slot 51 extending vertically in side frame member 32. Slot 5? has a plurality of notches 5B, suitably slanted downwardly and inwardly to receiv and hold handle 56 to latch the bolt 55 to the floating frame in any one of several positions of adjustment, suchas that indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. With its lower end engaged against sill l2 and its upper end latched to the floating frame by engagement of handle 56 in the notch 58, latch bolt 55 will sup port'the frame against downward movement beyond the selected position of adjustment. Such locking of the window against downward movemerit may b utilized to secure it from being blown open by a strong wind acting against the outer faces of louvers Hi. In the absence of such conditions, it may not be necessary to utilize the bolts 55.

The floating frame may be provided with a pair of handles 59 attached to side members 32, for manual operation of the window.

I claim:

In a louver window embodying a fixed frame and a floating frame and a plurality of louvers each hinged at its upper margin to the floating frame and at its lower margin to the fixed frame, for downward and rearward opening movement; said fixed frame comprising a series of frame members including side members of extruded metal section each embodying a main web portion and outer and inner flanges extending rearwardly therefrom to define a channel section, a flange extending inwardly from channel section and cooperating with the inner of said rearwardly extending flanges to define an inner angle section; and said floating frame comprising a series of members including side members of extruded metal section of a cross sectional shape resembling the letter G each embodying an outer semi-tubular portion and an inner angle section including flanges extending respectively forwardly and inwardly, said semi-tubular outer portion having a forward extremity adapted to enter-said channel section of the corresponding fixed frame member and to seat against the web portion of the latter to seal the window in the closed position thereof, the respective angle sections of said fixed frame and floating frame members being adapted to cooperate in the closed position of the window, with the respective forwardly and rearwardly extending flanges thereof in substantially abutting engagement, to define an inwardly opening channel in which the end portions of said louvers are received; and hinge means connecting said end portions, at the respective upper and lower margins of said louvers, to the respective rearwardly and forwardly extending flanges of said angle sections.

2. A window as defined in claim 1, wherein said fixed frame side members each include outer flanges extending outwardly from and constituting continuations of said web portions, and cooperating with the outer, rearwardly extending flanges thereof to define outer angle sections adapted to receive the forward corner portions of building framin members for attaching the fixed frame thereto.

3. In a louver window embodying a fixed frame and a plurality of louvers each hinged at its upper margin to the floating frame and at its lower margin to the fixed frame, for downward and rearward opening movement from a raised, closed position; said fixed frame comprising a series of frame members including side members of extruded metal section each embodying a main Web portion and outer and inner flanges extending rearwardly therefrom to define a channel section, and a side flange extending inwardly from said channel section as a continuation of said web portion and cooperating with the inner of said rearwardly extending flanges to define an inner angle section; and said floating frame comprising a series of members including side members of extruded metal section each embodying an outer semi-tubular portion and an inner angle section including flanges extending respectively forwardly and inwardly, said semi-tubular outer portion having a forwardly extending part adapted to enter said channel section of the corresponding fixed frame member so as to seal the window in the raised, closed position of said floating frame; said floating frame member cooperating with said associated fixed frame member in said raised, closed position, to define a tubular enclosure for a balancing spring, said angle section of the floating frame member, in said raised, closed position thereof, being opposed to said angle section of the fixed frame member, with the respective forwardly and rearwardly extending inner flanges disposed in a common plane and in edge-to-edge opposition to define an inwardly opening channel in which the ends of said louvers are received; and means pivotally connecting the ends of said louvers at the respective upper and lower margins of said louvers, to said respective rearwardly and forwardly extending inner flanges.

4. In a louver window embodying a fixed frame and a plurality of louvers each hinged at its upper margin to the floating frame and at its lowposition; said fixed frame comprising a series of frame members including side members of extruded metal section each embodying a main web portion and outer and inner flanges extending rearwardly therefrom to define a channel section, and a side flange extending inwardly from said channel section as a continuation of said web portion and cooperating with the inner of said rearwardly extending flanges to define an inner angle section; and said floating frame comprising a series of members including side members of extruded metal section each embodying an outer semitubular portion and an inner angle section including flanges extending respectively forwardly and inwardly, said semi-tubular outer portion having a forwardly extending part cooperating with said channel section of the corresponding fixed frame member so as to seal the window in the raised, closed position of said floating frame; said floating frame member cooperating with said associated fixed frame member in said raised, closed position, to define a tubular enclosure for a balancing spring, said angle section of the floating frame member, in said raised, closed position thereof, being opposed to said angle section of the fixed frame member, with the respective forwardly and rearwardly extending inner flanges disposed in a common plane and in edge-to-edge opposition to define an inwardly opening channel in which the ends of said louvers at the respective upper and lower margins of said louvers, to said respective rearwardly and forwardly extending inner flanges.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 31,672 Loudon Mar. 12, 1861 514,918 Egedal Feb. 20, 1894 2,153,075 Coepland Apr. 4, 1934 2,202,740 Krish May 28, 1940 2,324,454 Huff July 13, 1943 2,330,533 Wiley Sept. 28, 1943 2,383,395 Kuyper Aug. 21, 1945 2,420,297 Bishop May 13, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 7,182/32 Australia Dec. 5, 1932 

